Dislocation-defect interactions in nuclear reactor pressure-vessel steels investigated by means of internal friction

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 310; no. 1; pp. 445 - 448
• Main Authors: Van Ouytsel, K, De Batist, R, Schaller, R
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 28.09.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Dislocation-defect interactions; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Internal friction; Materials and auxiliary equipments used in energy engineering; Mechanical properties; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals; Metals. Metallurgy; Other mechanical properties; Radiation effects; Mechanical properties; Dislocation-defect interactions; Radiation effects; Internal friction; Metals; Thermal ageing; Torsion pendulum; Experimental study; Dislocation; Nuclear reactor; Surveillance; Crystal defect interaction; Dislocation mobility; Neutron irradiation; Yield strength; Reactor material; Carbon steel; Application; Activation energy
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/S0925-8388(00)00955-5

A study of pressure-vessel steel embrittlement mechanisms by means of temperature-dependent and amplitude-dependent internal friction has been carried out within the framework of commercial surveillance of nuclear reactor components. An inverted torsion pendulum operating at ∼1 Hz has been employed to study a wide variety of pressure-vessel steels and an IAEA reference material in various conditions. This contribution will discuss the results for the JRQ reference material only and serve as a basis on which to interpret the data from real pressure-vessel steels. The temperature-dependent experiments evidence a reduction in the dislocation mobility as a result of neutron irradiation and prove that the technique is sensitive to thermal ageing involving changes in the dislocation mobility and type of dislocation-defect interaction. Amplitude-dependent internal friction provides a means to determine the yield strength of the material. The importance of the influence of dislocation dragging on the yield stress is highlighted.